Su Zhiyi didn't know why, but Si Yanjing placed particular importance on the Su family's charity gala this time. Su Zhiyi only wanted to use Si Yanjing to make an appearance at the gala, controlling how she was perceived in high society—she had no other thoughts beyond that. Si Yanjing not only had a suit custom-made for himself but also had a gown tailored for her. In the huge floor-to-ceiling mirror, the young lady wore a pink-and-white evening gown, her slightly wavy hair lying docilely over her shoulders. The accessories were a complete set, custom-made by Si Yanjing specifically for this pink-and-white gown. He had sought out a famous jewelry designer, paying triple the price for an urgent order. The young lady wore a pearl-and-pink-diamond tiara on her head, a pearl-and-pink-diamond necklace around her swan-like neck, and a pearl-and-pink-diamond bracelet dangling from her wrist. Pink didn't make the young lady look darker; instead, it set off her skin as white as snow, smooth and delicate like pearls, flawless.
Si Yanjing wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He took a deep breath, catching the sweet scent of her. His burning lips pressed against the tender skin of her neck, his voice tender and full of deep attachment: "Baby, did you wear perfume today?" He knew Su Zhiyi well; with one sniff, he could tell her scent was different today. Instead of her usual light, sweet daisy fragrance, it was more like a honey-coated candy. They had been inseparable these days—not only at the academy but also on weekends, like all couples in the honeymoon phase. Their addresses had also changed from using names to more intimate ones. Except for the fact that their relationship hadn't been officially confirmed yet, and Su Zhiyi still avoided Song Lian when she was with him at the academy... he felt so happy, as if he had fallen into a river called love. Deeper and deeper, unwilling to escape.
It was fine. After tonight, they would have a more formal relationship—one he had longed for. Su Zhiyi placed one hand on the large hand around her waist, interlacing their fingers, while the other gently cupped Si Yanjing's face, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Yes, I did. Smell it—does this perfume smell good?" Si Yanjing, following her words, sniffed at her neck for a long moment. The sweet scent of perfume masked Su Zhiyi's own natural fragrance. He preferred her original scent. "You smell better without perfume." Philistine, Su Zhiyi thought darkly. He couldn't even recognize the expensive Chanel perfume she sparingly used. Inwardly, she mocked Si Yanjing, but on her face, she wore a sweet, charming fake smile. Her fingers, as soft as boneless, caressed his cheek, and her fingertip brushed over his lips. "Stay with me all night tonight, okay? I don't want to leave you."
Su Zhiyi's disguise was too perfect. Si Yanjing didn't notice anything off about her. Instead, he stared at her moist, red lips in the mirror, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. Gradually, he became entranced, unable to control his movements. He instinctively leaned in and kissed her warm, soft lips, which were like rose petals. Su Zhiyi didn't let Si Yanjing do as he pleased. She allowed the kiss for only ten seconds before pressing against his chest and gently pushing him away. "You've ruined my just-applied lipstick," she frowned slightly, dissatisfied, and wiped the smudged lipstick around her lips with her fingertip. Wiping only made the lipstick spread even more. It clearly looked like she had been kissed fervently. "You need to compensate me." Su Zhiyi spoke as if she were angry, but Si Yanjing knew she was just being coy—that was their little game.
"So, Eldest Miss, how would you like me to compensate?" Su Zhiyi picked up her lipstick from the vanity and placed it in his hand, then lifted her chin. "One, help me apply lipstick." "One? Is there a two?" Su Zhiyi gave a sly smile. "Yes, I won't let you off that easily." She hooked her hand around his freshly tied tie, pulling it down to loosen it, then slowly unbuttoned the top two buttons, revealing his sexy collarbone and a patch of firm chest. Si Yanjing's body trembled. He couldn't help but swallow, his voice low and hoarse. "What's two?" "You'll find out soon." Si Yanjing said nothing, his dark eyes seeming to flicker with fire. His emotions were stirred, and he faintly hoped, wanting to know what Su Zhiyi would do. Su Zhiyi smirked like a little fox. Her beautiful lips approached his chest, and like a dragonfly skimming the water, she left a kiss mark on his heart. On his wheat-colored skin, there was now a lipstick print that belonged exclusively to Su Zhiyi. A unique kiss symbolizing love.
Si Yanjing felt the spot where she kissed burning as if it were melting. Su Zhiyi looked with satisfaction at the masterpiece she had left on his chest, then buttoned his shirt to hide the lipstick mark and re-tied his loosened tie. "This is my gift to you. You must keep it safe." Su Zhiyi pulled him down by his tie, shortening the distance between them, and her voice entered his ear clearly. "When we come back tonight, I'm going to check. If my gift is gone, I'll be very angry and never talk to you again. Now, you can apply my lipstick. But don't let your naughty little dog nature get the better of you and kiss me again."
Si Yanjing's head spun from her seductive words. He barely restrained himself from kissing her flower-petal lips again. His voice uncontrollably deepened, incredibly magnetic. "As you command, my... Eldest Miss."
*
The Rothschild Hotel was the most luxurious five-star hotel in A City and the top choice for high-society banquets. Booking a banquet at the Rothschild Hotel didn't depend solely on money—it also required power, influence, connections, and family status. The Su family was one of the top wealthy families in A City, so of course, they would choose a hotel that matched their status for their banquet. Not to mention... this charity gala was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. At the magnificent entrance of the Rothschild Hotel, there were many men and women dressed glamorously, and even the cars parked outside were worth at least a million. This was clearly an aristocratic feast.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped at the hotel entrance. Si Yanjing opened the passenger door and stepped out. Many people recognized him and stopped to look, whispering to those beside them. "Why is Second Young Master Si here? I thought he was studying abroad?" "Your information is so outdated! He came back long ago!" "Didn't the Si family already go in? Why is Second Young Master Si here alone?" "Wait, it seems he's not alone. Someone's sitting in the back." Si Yanjing ignored the chatter around him. He walked to the rear door, opened it, and gallantly extended a hand. A delicate hand rested in his palm. In a pink-and-white gown, the beautiful young lady bent her head slightly, elegantly lifting her hem, and stepped out. Su Zhiyi pursed her lips, smiling at Si Yanjing beside her, and linked her arm with his as they walked toward the hotel entrance.
The moment Su Zhiyi appeared, everyone couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. "Eldest Miss Su? Shouldn't she be inside the banquet hall?" "Why is Eldest Miss Su here with Second Young Master Si?" "This is the first time I've seen her with a different date. At previous banquets, she was always with Young Master Song. But I saw Young Master Song go in with the Song family earlier." "Looks like the engagement between the Su family and the Song family really is over..."
Si Yanjing didn't care about the surrounding gossip, but Su Zhiyi did. As she walked, she listened to the discussions, taking in every word. She breathed a silent sigh of relief. Sure enough, as long as she showed up at the Su family's charity gala accompanied by a man with power and influence, these people wouldn't suspect a thing. The plan was moving in the direction she wanted. As long as she brought Si Yanjing into the Su family's charity gala and didn't slip up tonight, no one would ever realize she wasn't the real eldest Miss Su.
At the hotel entrance, Si Yanjing handed his invitation to the butler and announced his name. "Si family, Si Yanjing." The butler took the invitation, confirmed it was genuine along with Si Yanjing's identity, then his gaze fell on Su Zhiyi beside him. His expression was unreadable. Su Zhiyi recognized this butler—he was the steward of the Su family's old mansion, who had served her parents for over thirty years and had watched her grow up. Fortunately, the butler didn't scrutinize her. She didn't show any timidity but calmly returned a smile and held Si Yanjing's arm a little tighter. The butler withdrew his gaze from Su Zhiyi and said to Si Yanjing, "Mr. Si, Miss Su, please come in. I wish you both a pleasant evening."
The plan advanced another step. Su Zhiyi successfully entered the Su family's charity gala without arousing any suspicion.
The Su family's charity gala this time would include a charity auction of thirty-two items, with all proceeds donated to charitable organizations. The closer one got to high society, the clearer one understood that among money, power, and influence, money was the least valuable. Any family that could squeeze into high society was wealthy—money was common, and therefore worthless. Power and influence were important, as was the family's reputation. Using money to buy a good name was common. These high-society families always used charity to gain a favorable reputation, and the Su family was no exception.
Wherever Eldest Miss Su and Second Young Master Si went, they were impossible to ignore. Su Zhiyi and Si Yanjing found two empty seats in the auction hall. There were plenty of people who came up to try to chat with them, but both refused. After two or three rejections, these people understood that they wouldn't get close to the Su and Si families today and gave up, going to talk with members of other families.
"I heard your family is auctioning a very beautiful tourmaline ring today?" Si Yanjing held Su Zhiyi's hand. Su Zhiyi looked around the auction hall but didn't see Su Qinghuai. Instead, she spotted Song Lian. He was not far from her and Si Yanjing, with his family. He saw her, greeted her from a distance, gave a thoughtful glance at Si Yanjing beside her, then withdrew his gaze before Si Yanjing noticed him and continued chatting with others. Faced with Si Yanjing's sudden topic, Su Zhiyi recalled the crash course System 030 had given her on the charity gala's dos and don'ts, which mentioned the thirty-two items the Su family would auction. One of them was a tourmaline ring called "Floating Life as a Dream." The ring face was made from Paraíba tourmaline from Country B, with beautiful color, and the setting was inlaid with tiny natural diamonds. It had been handcrafted by the world's most famous jeweler over three months. This was a well-known collection piece of the Su family's old matriarch in high society. The price? Hmm... Su Zhiyi gave an awkward mental laugh. She had done her homework, so of course, she could recite the script she had prepared. "Yes, it's a collection piece from my grandmother. She treasures it a lot and only wears it on important occasions once or twice." "Oh..." Si Yanjing nodded knowingly. Su Zhiyi asked, "Why do you ask? I remember my father and grandfather are also presenting their antique treasures. Are you interested in jewelry?" Si Yanjing smiled slightly. "Not particularly. I just heard my mother talking about it before I came, so I thought I'd ask you." "Do you think the ring is pretty?"
How could Su Zhiyi possibly not think a diamond ring so expensive that she could never afford it even if she worked at the Quick Travel Bureau her whole life was beautiful... Even if it were terribly ugly, she would grit her teeth and say it was beautiful. "Of course I think it's beautiful." She said with a troubled expression, "It's just that my grandmother really cherishes her collection rings. She's afraid I'll break them. I've only seen them, never worn them." Si Yanjing asked again, "Do you like it?" Su Zhiyi answered truthfully, "Yes." After she responded, Si Yanjing didn't ask any more questions about the ring. It was as if he had suddenly remembered it and mentioned it casually, a small interlude.